The Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) has announced that it has finished exploring a blockchain-based worker’s identity solution to address safety issues in railway tracks, according to a press release.
A blockchain company Linum Labs developed the solution using an Uport technology. A US-based software development studio Consensys is also part of the project.
From the proof-of-concept (PoC) employees used their mobile devices to create their digital IDs from the uPort app. The SBB then provided them certifications that confirm they underwent proper training.
The employees then used these electronic IDs to check in and out of building sites where they worked. An employee would be required to scan a QR code from the application on their smartphone before entering the site. The post reads in part.
“Using uPort, railway workers, certification authorities and supervisors are able to have their own unique digital identities linked to their respective uPort ID’s, which is then anchored to an identity on the blockchain. A hash of the worker’s check-in /check-out activities is published to the blockchain so that the internal database can be audited.”
According to the post, the pilot program was conducted from May to November of 2018. The project mainly focuses on increasing the efficiency of paper-based processes.
Blockchain, the technology behind the heart of bitcoin, has been gaining popularity in many industries of late. Air Cargo News reported on May that Swissport – Swiss airport ground handling and cargo firm – was launching a blockchain test program for its cargo handling business. The head of cargo operations at Swissport Hendrik Leyssens said that the blockchain could help reduce operation costs, improve security and speed up transactions.
According to an official press release published Sep 4, a UK-based technology and business maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) created a model of the blockchain-based class register of ships.
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